Holiday Gift Guide: Give to the ($50) max

BECKY LANG
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Updated
12/6/2012

Who's on your holiday shopping list? A precocious niece? A cyclist brother? A grandma who likes cheese and coloring books? No matter who you're shopping for, our gift guide should help get your brain juices flowing. We scoured the Twin Cities for unique items that should please all kinds of people -- all under $50. And most of the items are locally made, so you'll have a simpler time pleasing that friend with a Minnesota outline tattoo. (Mouse over images for info.)

Who's on your holiday shopping list? A precocious niece? A cyclist brother? A grandma who likes cheese and coloring books? No matter who you're shopping for, our gift guide should help get your brain juices flowing. We scoured the Twin Cities for unique items that should please all kinds of people -- all under $50. And most of the items are locally made, so you'll have a simpler time pleasing that friend with a Minnesota outline tattoo.

Penfield mittens • $40: When you live in Minnesota, it's really easy to lose mittens. That's why it's a smart idea to buy someone mittens so nice that they'd feel like a jerk for losing them. These Penfield mittens are about as nice as they come, knit in a Nordic style with soft fleece lining.
Where: Askov Finlayson, 200 N. 1st St., Mpls., or at www.penfield.com.

Little Brown Mushroom coloring book • $5: Any friend who still keeps a pack of Crayolas around (or has graduated to Prismacolors) will love this coloring book by Little Brown Mushroom, a publishing house started by famed Minnesota photographer Alec Soth. The drawings are ready to be framed as works of art in their own right.
Where: Askov Finlayson, 200 N. 1st St., Mpls., or at www.littlebrownmushroom.com.

The Good Flock iPhone case • $29: We all love someone who is obsessed with gadgets and doesn't find it strange to camp out all night to get the latest versions. Help them coddle their digital love in style with this wool iPhone case. Where: Askov Finlayson, 200 N. 1st St., Mpls., or at www.thegoodflock.com.

Bicycle socks • $15-$19: Anyone who rides a bike knows that a bit of ankle tends to get exposed. Help the cyclist in your life keep that joint warm and looking good with special cycling socks. We like Baabaa Merino Winter Socks ($19) and Twin Six Premium Cycling Socks ($15). Where: One on One Bicycle Studio & Go Coffee, 117 N. Washington Av. S., Mpls.

Trash Bags Wastebasket fanny pack • $50: A lot of bikers around town have Trash Bag messenger bags, made locally and designed to be waterproof and durable. Now you can help the cyclist in your life get around with less baggage by hooking them up with one of these quirky fanny packs. Where: One on One Bicycle Studio, 117 Washington Av. N., Mpls.

Bell Faction bike helmet • $40: Do you want to present a biker in your life with something that will keep them safe without making them look like a goon? Bell's Faction helmets are minimalistic and modern-looking, perfect for the casual cyclist. Where: One on One Bicycle Studio, 117 Washington Av. N., Mpls.

120 PSI bicycle inner tube wallet • $22: 120 PSI means 120 pounds per square inch, which is the type of recycled bike tire these wallets are made from. Locally made, recycled and biking-related -- these are a real 1-2-3 punch for the socially conscious yupster in your life. Where: Design Collective, 1311 W. 26th St., Mpls., or at www.120psi.com.

Minnesota license plate bracelet • $10: Some people are just really obsessed with Minnesota. After all, it's cold, it's far from the ocean and the food is fairly bland -- what's not to love? Help that MN-proud friend show off their dedication with a bracelet literally made out of a Minnesota license plate. Where: Design Collective, 1311 W. 26th St., Mpls.

Humanimal Kingdom Minnesota/Wisconsin tee • $22: This T-shirt made by Aych Wayne, a local illustrator who really likes to draw personified states looking adorable, is perfect to wear to that next Vikings- Packers game. Give it to your friend who is all about Midwestern love extending between state borders. Where: Design Collective, 1311 W. 26th St., Mpls. or at www.skreened.com/humanimalkingdom.

Katie Lin handbag • $40: Have a friend who means to spend more time with her sewing machine, making her own creations? Inspire her with this bag by local designer Katie Lin. If this one doesn't do it for you, head to Design Collective to check out their other handmade bags. Where: Design Collective, 1311 W. 26th St., Mpls.

St. Paul Saints hat by Ebbets Field • $40: Today's man can enjoy handcrafted items, trendy boutiques and yelling at the TV during sports games without feeling conflicted about his identity. For the modern man in your life, this high-design hat brings a new classiness to sports merch. Where: Black Blue, 614 Selby Av., St. Paul.

Crocheted Viking helmet with braids • $30: Help anyone who loves the Vikings look ready to pillage, pillage, pillage in one of these crocheted Vikings hats. Bonus points: They keep the head warm! You can even grab one of these for a mini-Vikings fan. They look ultra-cute on babies. Where: www.etsy.com/shop/niftynursery.

Big River Minnesota-shaped cutting board • $45: Chopping onions may make people cry, but chopping veggies on a beautifully made cutting board that celebrates the shape of our state is an experience to be enjoyed. This cutting board is the perfect kitchen complement for the foodie you love. Where: I Like You, 501 1st Av. NE., Mpls.

Nina Martine Robinson booties • $20: Feet are really at their best in babyhood, when they're all tiny and clean from a lifestyle that doesn't yet involve walking. These adorable booties can adorn those little feet in style and keep them warm for the winter. Where: I Like You, 501 1st Av. NE., Mpls.

"Monkey World" by Matthew Porter • $16.95: Monkey World describes a profession for every letter of the alphabet, from B for Bassist to H for Hula Hooper. It'll teach aspiring readers their ABCs while helping them contemplate the vast array of careers they can dream about for their futures. Where: I Like You, 501 1st Av. NE., Mpls.

Oak Tree Arts Wooden Car $18: When kids are 2, they're mostly into smashing stuff, throwing food around, yelling the word "no" at their parents and being amazed at cars. This wooden car is perfect for any little lovable terror in your life. Where: I Like You, 501 1st Av. NE., Mpls.

Amy Jo's Handmade animals: You know those obscure, quirky stuffed animals that are super hip but also annoyingly expensive? Ignore them and buy these instead. Amy Jo's Handmade stuffed animals are bizarre, nerdy, even scary, but in an awesome way. Best of all they start at only $10-$12. Where: I Like You, 501 1st Av. NE., Mpls., or at www.etsy.com/shop/amyjoshandmade

Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer • $19.99: With 21 paper dolls to cut out, plus extra crafts like portrait frames and paper theater backdrops, this book is a perfect way for a mother and daughter to play and get creative on a rainy afternoon. Where: I Like You, 501 1st Av. NE., Mpls.

Crap Hound books • $16: These Kickstarter-funded books are full of found line art from old catalogs, advertising and anywhere that cool drawings may happen to exist. Give it to the artist who needs a little inspiration to get that pen moving. Where: I Like You, 501 1st Av. NE., Mpls.

Lego earrings • $10: We all have a girl like this in our lives -- the one who cannot let a conversation go by without adding a Super Marios-related metaphor or starting a fight about which Batman movie was the best. To help her wear her nerdiness with pride, get her some Lego earrings. Who needs diamonds? (Also shown: Lego cufflinks.) Where: I Like You, 501 1st Av. NE., Mpls.

Aveda Comforting Tea • $17: It is quite possible that some people choose to get their spa services from Aveda joints simply for the chance to drink this tea for free while getting pampered. It's that good -- and that expensive. Why is it so special? It's tea beyond tea, some next-level-type brew that is hard to believe is the product of leaves sitting in water. Where: Aveda salons or from www.aveda.com.

Teroforma Whisky Stones • $19.95: Any whiskey connoisseur knows temperature can affect flavor, but ice cubes get all melty and dilute the complexity of the whiskey. Help your booze expert drink the right way with these nonmelting soapstone beverage cubes, which let them savor their liquor in style. Where: CB2, 3045 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.

"Truck Food Cookbook" • $18.95: Is food-truck food still "food-truck food" if it's cooked in your own kitchen? Regardless of the answer, this cookbook is perfect for anyone who loves hunting down food trucks and trying their sliders, ice cream cones or whatever. Where: CB2, 3045 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.

Turning Triangles terrarium • $39.99: Help a friend exercise their green thumb with their very own terrarium. This triangular orb, with a little love and care, can become their very own tiny garden. Where: Urban Outfitters, 3006 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.

Guitar pick hole punch • $30: Know that person with a guitar-pick necklace and four different picks always hidden in their shoe? This is the perfect gift for them. It lets them easily make their own guitar picks, featuring whatever their imagination can dream up. Where: Urban Outfitters, 3006 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.

Coloud Boom headphones • $39.99: There are two types of people in life: People who couldn't care less what their music sounds like and use cheap headphones, and people who spend hundreds of dollars trying to hear every detail in a song. Help the former type of person look just a little bit cooler with these ultra-stylish (and affordable) headphones. Where: Target.

Wine and cheese pairings from Surdyk's: Marieke Golden is an aged gouda out of Thorp, Wis., made by a couple who moved to the state just to make cheese. Now that's dedication. They suggest you pair it with a white wine such as Müller-Catoir ($21.99).

Wine and cheese pairings from Surdyk's: The cheese experts at Surdyk's say that Rush Creek Wisconsin cheese (a brie-like vacherin cheese wrapped in spruce bark) is better than the original from Switzerland or France. They suggest pairing it with ginger snaps and cider, like locally produced Crispin ($8.99). Where: Surdyk's, 303 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls.

Color Your Own Alphabet poster • $20: Help the ABC enthusiast in your life color in or outside the lines with this poster made by local screenprinter Mike Davis. "U" is for "undies"! Where: www. burlesquedesign.com.

"Girls: Fact + Fiction" book • $25: Light Grey Art Lab is one of the most exciting new art galleries to crop up this year. Best of all, it's easy to purchase the goodies they curate. The gallery's newest offering is an 80-page book featuring portraits of both real and fictional ladies, timed for an upcoming show. Where: lightgreyartlabshop.bigcartel.com.

"A Combination of the Two" prints • $40: Photographer Ben LaFond screen-prints his Instagram photos, taken around the area, into mini-prints that celebrate different themes. You can buy a set of nine 4.5-by-4.5-inch prints for the person who is psyched that Instagram is the new Polaroid. Where: www.burlesquedesign.com/node/1343.